GB2148248A

GB2148248A - Anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2148248A
Application number: GB08328441A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Kerr Dunlop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-25
Filing date: 1983-10-25
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB2148248B; GB8328441D0

Abstract

An anti-theft device of the kind used for preventing unauthorised removal or use of an article comprises a housing (11) and a flexible elongate element (12) which is mounted on the housing on a spool (13) thereof, and which may be drawn therefrom from a substantially retracted condition to an extended condition in which the element (12) may be passed around part of the article. A plug (12d) of the element (12) may be inserted into the aperture (16) of a locking means, to secure the end portion to the housing. The element (12) may be released from the aperture (16) by the insertion of a key into an aperture (18). The element (12) may be electrically conductive, and if the conductive passage is broken other than by the use of the key, an alarm is sounded. The device is particularly useful in connection with cycles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to anti-theft devices This invention relates to an anti-theft device of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) for preventing unauthorised removal or use of an article, for example a cycle.

According to the invention, there is provided an anti-theft device of the kind specified comprising a housing, a flexible elongate element mounted on the housing and which may be drawn therefrom from a substantially retracted condition to an extended condition in which extended condition the flexible elongate element may be passed around a part of the article, and locking means on the hous ing by which a free end portion of the flexible elongate element may be secured to the housing.

The flexible elongate element may be stored as a reel on a spool provided on the housing, so that it is unreeled from the spool as it is extended by pulling said free end portion.

The device may further comprise a spring means for urging the flexible elongate element to retract.

The locking means may automatically secure said free end portion to the housing but may re quire a key or other lock operating means to be used to release the free end portion from the hous ing.

The free end portion, on being so secured to the housing, may deflect the flexible elongate element against the housing, thereby providing resistance to further extension of the flexible elongate ele ment.

The housing may be adapted to be lockably mountable on the article to be secured against theft, such as to a mounting plate fixed to said arti cle.

Preferably a locking mechanism is provided for lockably mounting the housing on the mounting plate. Said locking mechanism may be provided by said locking means, so that only one key or other lock operating means is needed in order to use the device.

The flexible elongate element may be electrically conductive and the device may be provided with a power source connection means to permit an elec trical current to be passed through the flexible elongate element when the free end is secured to the housing and an electrical switch is closed, the device being further provided with electrically powered detection means which responds to ces sation of said current by activating an alarm means of the device.

In this manner, the alarm means will be acti vated in response to cessation of said current caused, for example, by disconnection or severing of the flexible elongate element, provided that said switch is closed at the time of said cessation.

The detection means conveniently comprises an actuator means and a response means, and the de vice further comprises an electrical circuit having two circuit branches in parallel across the power source connection means, and employing said switch for simultaneously controlling current flow through each branch, wherein one branch com prises the flexible elongate element and the actuator means, through which actuator means current flows in series with the flexible elongate element when the free end portion is secured to the hous ing and said switch is closed, and the other branch comprises the alarm means in series with said response means, such that current flow through said actuator means causes the response means to prevent current flow through said other branch, while cessation of said current flow through said actuator means causes the response means to permit current flow through said other branch, thereby activating the alarm means.

Securing of the flexible elongate element to the housing may close the switch to initiate current flow through the first circuit branch.

The locking means may comprise switch release means to open the switch when the locking means is released by an appropriate key or other lock operating means, thereby rendering the detection means inoperative.

In this manner, an authorised user in possession of an appropriate key or other lock operating means may open the switch, and hence deactivate the device, prior to releasing the free end portion from the housing, so that the alarm means is not then activated by releasing the free end portion from the housing.

The alarm means, the detection means, the retracted part of the flexible elongate element, and a portion of the locking means may be enclosed within a tamper-resistant outer cover.

The connection means may protrude from the cover to permit connection of the power source to the device, and a recess may be provided in the back of the cover to accomodate the power source, the device being mountable on the article in such a way that the power source is inaccessible when the device is so mounted.

The invention also provides a method of preventing unauthorised removal or use of an article by using an anti-theft device in accordance with the invention wherein the flexible elongate element is passed around a first part of the article and/or a second part of the article and/or a further article and the free end portion of the flexible elongate element is secured to the housing, so that the parts and/or the articles cannot be moved relative to each other beyond limits imposed by the flexible elongate element unless the flexible elongate element is released or severed.

In this manner, unauthorised removal or use of the article cannot occur unless the flexible elongate element is released or severed.

Said first part may for example be a wheel rim of a cycle, said second part may for example be a frame member of the cycle, and said further article may for example be a substantially fixed object.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la is a partly cross-sectional view of an anti-theft device embodying the invention; Figure ib is an electrical circuit diagram for a circuit suitable for use in the device shown in Figure la; Figure 2 shows the device of Figure la mounted on a mounting plate fixed to an article, the device being in an operative condition; and Figure 3 shows the device of Figures la and 2 dismounted from the mounting plate of Figure 2, and also shows a power source suitable for use in the device.

Referring to the drawings, an anti-theft device 10 comprises a housing 11 and a flexible elongate element 12 which is mounted on the housing 11 by virtue of being connected at an end 12a of the element 12 to a spool 13 which is rotatable about an axle member 14 mounted on the housing 11. In Figure la of the drawings, the flexible elongate element 12 is shown in a substantially retracted condition in which retracted condition a portion 12b of the flexible elongate element 12 is stored as a reel 30 on the spool 13. The flexible elongate element 12 has a free end portion 12c (at its end opposite to the end 12a) on which portion 12c a plug 12d is mounted. The housing 11 is provided with a locking means 16, 18 comprising a receiving passage 16 for receiving the plug 12d (as will hereinafter be described) and an associated lock 18.

The flexible elongate element 12 may be drawn from the housing 11, by grasping and pulling the plug 1 2d on the free end portion 12c, to an extended condition, in which extended condition the flexible elongate element 12 may be passed around a part 20 (see Figure 2) of an article. As the flexible elongate element 12 is thus extended, the portion 12b of the flexible elongate element 12 is unreeled from the spool 13. The plug 12d may then be partly inserted into the receiving passage 16 in which the plug is then secured to the housing by an automatic securing action of the locking means 16, 18. Subsequently, a key must be used to operate the lock 18 to cause release of the plug 12dfrom the receiving passage 16.

A spring means (not shown) is provided for urging the flexible elongate element 12 to retract. The spring means comprises a spiral spring acting on the spool 13 in such a manner that unreeling of the elongate element 12 twists the spiral spring thereby causing the spiral spring to exert a torque on the spool 13 in a sense which urges retraction of the elongate element 12. If desired an alternative spring means functionally equivalent to the spiral spring may be used. When the flexible elongate element 12 is retracted, the plug 12d abuts a surface portion 11a of the housing 11 to prevent retraction of the plug 12d into the housing 11 under the action of the spring means.

As shown in Figure 1a, the receiving passage 16 is discontinuous in the vicinity of the flexible elongate element 12, a discontinuity 16a in a wall of the receiving passage 16 facing a raised structure 22 of the housing 11. The raised structure 22 comprises a recess 24 which faces the discontinuity 16a. When the plug 12d is inserted into the receiving passage 16 and slidably engages the wall of the passage 16, the plug 12d deflects a piece of the flexible elongate element 12 lying between the discontinuity 16a and the recess 24 against the surface of the recess 24, thereby causing any further extension of the flexible elongate element 12 to be at least hindered by resistance to movement of the flexible elongate element 12 provided by abutment with the surfaces of the recess 24 and the plug 12d.

As shown in Figure 3, the housing 11 is provided with two slots 25a and 25b respectively which are capable of receiving respective bracket portions 26a and 26b provided on a mounting plate 28. The mounting plate 28 is fixed to a part 20 of an article by two bolts 28a and 28b respectively which extend from the part 20 and through the plate 28, the plate 28 being fixed in position against the part 20 by nuts 29a and 29b which are applied to respective bolts 28a and 28b. When the plate is thus in position, the nuts 29a and 29b and end portions of the bolts 28a and 28b lie in indented regions 31a and 31b of the mounting plate 28 so as not to interfere with the housing 11 when the device 10 is mounted on the plate 28 by passing the slots 25a and 25b over the bracket members 26a and 26b respectively.The lock 18 also provides a mechanism which when operated lockably engages the bracket portions 26a and 26b, thereby lockably mounting the housing 11 on the mounting plate 28 fixed to the article to be secured against theft, thereby reducing risk of theft of the device 10.

The flexible elongate element 12 is electrically conductive and the device 10 is provided with a power source connection means 40 for connecting a power source 41 (a battery of the dry cell type) to the device 10, in order to permit an electrical current to be passed through the flexible elongate element 12 when the free end portion 12c is secured via the plug 12d to the receiving passage 16 of the housing 11 and an electrical switch S1 is closed.

The device 10 comprises an electrical circuit 45 (shown schematically in Figure 1b) having two circuit branches 46 and 47 respectively which are connected to the power source connection means so as to be in parallel across the power source 41.

The circuit 45 incorporates the switch S1 for simultaneously controlling supply of electrical current to each of the branches 46 and 47. The circuit 45 includes an electrically powered detection means 51 comprising an actuator means 50 and a response means S2. The circuit branch 46 comprises the entire length of the flexible elongate element 12 and the actuator means 50, through which actuator means 50 current flows in series with said entire length of the element 12 when the free end portion 12c is secured to the housing 11 by the plug 12d and the switch S1 is closed. A lead 49 for carrying current from an output side of the switch S1 to the end 12a of the flexible elongate element 12 is conductively connected to a sliding contact 49a which is at all times in conductive contact with the end 12a or a part of the flexible elongate element 12 close to the end 12a whatever the orientation of the portion 12b of the flexible elongate element 12 which forms the reel 30. The other branch 47 of the circuit 45 comprises an alarm means 60 in series with the response means S2.Current flow through the flexible elongate element 12, and hence through the actuator means 50, causes the response means S2 to prevent current from flowing through the circuit branch 47, while cessation of the current flow through the flexible elongate element 12, and hence cessation of the current flow through the actuator means 50, causes the response means S2 to permit flow of current through the circuit branch 47, thereby activating the alarm means 60.

The receiving passage 16 is adapted so that when the plug 12 on the free end portion 12c is secured to the receiving passage 16, the switch S1 is automatically closed to initiate current flow through the circuit branch 46 and hence through the flexible elongate element 12.

The locking means 16, 18 comprises a switch release means, provided by the lock 18, which operates so as to open the switch S1 when the locking means is released by an appropriate key or other lock operating means, thereby rendering the detection means 51 in operative.

In this manner, an authorised user having a appropriate key or other lock operating means may deactivate the device so as then to be able to release the free end portion 1 2c from the housing 11 without activating the alarm means 60.

Thus the operations of the lock 18 hereinbefore described are all carried out using a single lock operating means, such as a single key.

The alarm means 60, the detection means 51, the retracted part of the flexible elongate element 12, and a portion of the locking means are enclosed within a tamper-resistant, weather-resistant outer cover 70.

Two leads 40a of the connection means 40 protrude from the cover 70 to permit connection of the power source 41 to the device 10, and a recess 75 is provided in the back surface 70a of the cover 70 to accomodate the power source 41. When the device 10 is mounted on the mounting plate 28 as hereinbefore described, the back surface 70a abuts the mounting plate 28, and the recess 75 is completely covered by the mounting plate 28, thereby rendering the power source 41 and the connection means 40 inaccessible to unauthorised users.

The device 10 may be used to prevent unauthorised removal or use of an article. Where the article is for example a cycle, then preferably the part 20 is provided by a frame member of the cycle, and the plate 28 is preferably bolted thereto as shown in Figure 3. The mounting plate 28 should be mounted on the frame member in such a position that when the device 10 is mounted thereon and the flexible elongate element 12 is in its retracted condition, there is no risk of the device 10, the mounting plate 28, the flexible elongate element 12 or any other equipment associated with the device 10 making contact with a movable part of the cycle (such as a wheel) during normal use of the cycle, so that the presence of the device 10 does not then hinder normal use of the cycle.

In order to prevent unauthorised removal or use of the cycle, the flexible elongate element 12 is extended by pulling the plug 12d on the free end portion 12c and passed around a first part of the cycle, for example a wheel rim, and/or a second part of the cycle, for example a frame member, and then secured to the housing via the plug 12d on its free end portion 12c. If the device 10 is mounted on the frame member as hereinbefore described, it is strictly only necessary to pass the flexible elongate element 12 around the wheel rim before thus securing the free end portion 12c to the housing. Alternatively and/or additionally, the flexible elongate element 12 may be passed around a further article, for example a fixed object such as a roadside railing or a lamp-post, before being secured to the housing 11 via the free end portion 12c.With the flexible elongate element 12 passed thus and secured to the housing 11, the wheel cannot be moved relative to the frame, andl or the cycle cannot be moved relative to the fixed object, beyond limits imposed by the flexible elongate element 12, unless the flexible elongate element 12 is released or severed, so that unauthorised removal or use of the cycle cannot occur unless the flexible elongate element 12 is released or severed.

When the free end portion 12c is secured (via the plug 12d) to the housing 11, and the switch S1 is closed, an electrical current flows through the flexible elongate element 12. If an unauthorised user then releases or severs the flexible elongate element 12, the consequential cessation of current flow through the element 12 is detected by the detection means 51 which responds to the cessation of the current by activating the alarm means 60, thereby warning bystanders that an unauthorised user is attempting to remove or use the cycle.

However, an authorised user may at any time release the flexible elongate element 12 without causing the alarm means 60 to be activated, by first operating the lock release means, and consequently opening the switch S1, using an appropriate key inserted into the lock 18.

The detection means 51 comprises a reed switch which provides the actuator means 50 and the response means S2 and is connected so that the response means S2 is closed in the absence of flow of a current through the component 50, so that a current will briefly flow through, and therefore briefly activate, the alarm means 60 from the instant that the switch S1 is initially closed until conductive securing of the free end portion 12c in the receiving passage 16 takes place and causes current flow through the actuator means 50 which subsequently causes the response means S2 to open, thereby deactivating the alarm means 60.

Thus the alarm means 60 is activated briefly when the device 10 is first activated, so that a user is provided with a useful indication of the correct functioning of the device 10.

The alarm means 60 provides an audible alarm signal, although alternatively or additionally, a visual alarm signal may be provided by the alarm means 60. The alarm signal may be continuous or intermittent.

Alternative forms of locking means may be used if desired. For example, separate locks may be provided for the various locking operations, or different types of locks may be used for respective operations. For example, a key-operated lock may be used to operate the switch S1 and/or secure the free end portion 12c to the housing 11, while a further lock of the combination type may be used to lock the device 10 onto the plate 28, or some other lock arrangement may be used.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plug 12d may be secured in the receiving passage 16, and the switch S1 may be closed, by keyoperation of the lock 18 by a user.

The circuit 45 comprises a low voltage detection means 90 connected across the power source 41 and the switch S1, so that when the switch S1 is closed, the low voltage detection means 90 causes illumination of a lamp 100 only in response to detection by the means 90 of a power source voltage below an acceptable level.

The detection means 51 may comprise semi-conductor switching means in place of the reed switch hereinbefore described. Semi-conductor means may also be used in the low voltage detection means 90.

Certain electrical connections for the circuit 45 are made on a printed circuit board 80.

The flexible elongate element 12 has a wire wound copper core encompassed by a wire-wound steel layer, and may also have a plastics coating to protect the steel layer from adverse weather and provide a smooth outer surface which facilitates passage of the flexible elongate element 12 around an article. The circuit 45 comprises resistance means to ensure that the current through the flexible elongate element is always very small so as not to cause excessive draining power from the power source 41, thereby conserving energy for use should the alarm means 60 be activated.

The outer cover 70 is made of unbreakable plastics material, or may be made of steel, it being important that the cover is sealed wherever possible to protect the device 10 against adverse weather conditions and/or to hinder access of foreign matter into the device 10.

Another construction may be used for the element 12: for example a long metal spring (not shown) may be used which provides both a flexible elongate element and a spring means. The long metal spring would be arranged so as to be stretched beyond its natural length at least whenever it is in an extended condition, so that it urges itself to return to its retracted condition.

Where the device 10 is mounted on an article, the term "housing" may be considered to include any parts of article which contribute to the support of the device 10. Thus an anti-theft device otherwise substantially as herein before described in which a free end portion of a flexible elongate element is securable to such a part of an article will remain within the scope of the invention.

Sliding contact means other than the sliding contact 49a may be used to connect the lead 49 conductively to the end 12a of the flexible elongate element 12.

The bracket portions 26a and 26b provided on the plate 28 could alternatively be separately boited onto the part 20, or could be formed from the part 20.

The term "cycle" as used herein refers for example to a bicycle, a tricycle, a monocycle, a motor cycle, a moped or any similar article.

The device 10 may also be used to prevent unauthorised removal or use of a vehicle such as a motor car, a van, a lorry or a public service vehicle.

The flexible elongate element 12 may be passed around the rim of the steering wheel of the vehicle and/or a further part of the vehicle, the free end portion 12c then being secured to the housing 11, so as to limit movement of the steering wheel.

Preferably, the device 10 is mounted on the vehicle, for example on a facia panel or on the steering column of the vehicle. The device 10 is preferably still powered by the power source 41, but may if desired be powered by an alternative power source, for sample a battery of the vehicle.

The device 10 may also be used to prevent unauthorised removal or use of a wide variety of other articles, for example perambulators, wheeled golf caddie bags, items which are mounted a ski rack, or other articles (with or without wheels).

Although the device 10 has been described as having the circuit 45, the device 10 is still effective if the circuit 45 is omitted or if the power source 41 is omitted (or is providing an unacceptably low voltage), since simply by passing the flexible elongate element 12 around an article and securing the free end portion 12e to the housing 11, it is possible to limit movement of the article so as to prevent unauthorised removal or use of the article.

Thus a purely mechanical anti-theft device otherwise substantially as herein before described but which does not include an electrical circuit equivalent to the circuit 45 will remain within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device of the kind specified comprising a housing, a flexible elongate element mounted on the housing and which may be drawn therefrom from a substantially retracted condition to an extended condition in which extended condition the flexible elongate element may be passed around a part of the article, and locking means on the housing by which a free end portion of the flexible elongate element may be secured to the housing.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein of the flexible elongate element is stored as a reel on a spool provided on the housing, so that it is unreeled from the spool as it is extended by pulling said free end portion.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 further comprising a spring means for urging the flexible elongate element to retract.

4. A device according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the locking means automatically secures said free end portion to the housing but re quires a key or other lock operating means to be used to release the free end portion from the housing.

5. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the free end portion, on being so secured to the housing, deflects the flexible elongate element against the housing, thereby providing resistance to further extension of the flexible elongate element.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the housing is adapted to be lockably mountable on the article to be secured against theft.

7. A device according to Claim 6 wherein the housing is adapted to be lockably mountable on a mounting plate fixed to said article.

8. A device according to Claim 7 comprising a locking mechanism for lockably mounting the housing on the mounting plate.

9. A device according to Claim 8 wherein said locking mechanism is provided by said locking means, so that only one lock operating means is needed in order to use the device.

10. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the flexible elongate element is electrically conductive and the device is provided with a power source connection means to permit an electrical current to be passed through the flexible elongate element when the free end is secured to the housing and an electrical switch is closed, the device being further provided with electrically powered detection means which responds to cessation of said current by activating an alarm means of the device.

11. A device according to Claim 10 wherein the detection means comprises an actuator means and a response means, and the device further comprises an electrical circuit having two circuit branches in parallel across the power source connection means, and employing said switch for simultaneously controlling current flow through each branch, wherein one branch comprises the flexible elongate element and the actuator means, through which actuator means current flows in series with the flexible elongate element when the free end portion is secured to the housing and the switch is closed, and the other branch comprises the alarm means in series with said response means, such that current flow through said actuator means causes the response means to prevent current flow through said other branch, while cessation of said current flow through said actuator means causes the response means to permit current flow through said other branch, thereby activating the alarm means.

12. A device according to Claim 11 wherein securing of the flexible elongate element to the housing closes the switch to initiate current flow through the first circuit branch.

13. A device according to any one of Claims 10 to 12 wherein the locking means comprises switch release means to open the switch when the locking means is released by an appropriate lock operating means, thereby rendering the detection means inoperative.

14. A device according to any one of Claims 10 to 13 wherein the alarm means, the detection means, the retracted part of the flexible elongate element, and a portion of the locking means are enclosed within a temper-resistant outer cover.

15. A device according to Claim 14 where eventually appendant to any one of Claims 6 to 9 wherein the connection means protrudes from the cover to permit connection of the power source to the device, and a recess is provided in the back of the cover to accomodate the power source, the device being mountable on the article in such a way that the power source is inaccesible when the device is so mounted.

16. A method of preventing unauthorised removal or use of an article by using a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 15 wherein the flexible elongate element is passed around a first part of the article and/or second part of the article and/or a further article and the free end portion of the flexible elongate element is secured to the housing, so that the parts and/or the articles cannot be moved relative to each other beyond limits imposed by the flexible elongate element unless the flexible elongate element is released or severed.

17. A method according to Claim 16 wherein said first part is a wheel rim of a cycle, said second part is a frame member of the cycle, and said further article is a substantially fixed object.

18. An anti-theft device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of preventing unauthorised re moved or use of an article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature of novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.